THE BUZZ WORD

LAGOM

What does it mean? Lagom is a Scandinavian word that – much like last year’s hygge, roughly meaning cosy – has no direct translation in English. The closest way to convey the concept of lagom is ‘just the right amount’, or ‘not too little, not too much’. It is a philosophy of balance that can be applied to everything from interior design (it eschews the sharp edges of minimalism, but is anti-clutter) to cooking (think healthy eating, but without denying yourself the occasional treat). How can I live lagom? Swedish superbrand Ikea believes that the key is not denying yourself what you love, while also not taking more than you need from the planet. Its new Live Lagom project aims to give people practical tips for embracing lagom in their homes. ‘Make small changes – you don’t have to take on a huge challenge,’ explains Joanna Yarrow, head of sustainability at Ikea UK and Ireland. She suggests using LED bulbs that save energy, or placing a timer in the bathroom to save water by discouraging long showers. You can find more easy-to-follow tips on the Ikea website (ikea.com).